SCENE-SETTER
Scunthorpe come into the match on the back of a 3-0 home victory over Northampton Town last weekend, which saw Lee Novak (two) and Kevin van Veen on target. It extended a run of just one defeat in seven games in all competitions for United, who still sit 22nd in the division but could climb a place should they be victorious against the Exiles this weekend.
The 2-2 draw away at Plymouth Argyle in our last fixture on the road two weeks ago saw Scunthorpe get their first away point of the season, and they will be looking to build on that at Rodney Parade.
Newport have had a decent start to their campaign after losing out in the play-off final last season and sit fifth in the table coming into the fixture. Their last league game was a fortnight ago, with them securing a 1-0 home victory over Carlisle United in stoppage time that took them into the top three. Having not played last weekend due to the international break, they fell down a couple of places and will be hoping to return into the promotion spots with a victory this weekend.
TEAM NEWS
Manager Paul Hurst has confirmed there is still some illness in the camp, so the affected players will be assessed before the squad travel on Friday.
After coming off against Northampton last week, there is no fracture on Rory Watson's cheekbone or nose but the club has to go through the necessary protocol in terms of concussion, so a decision will be made on the goalkeeper following Friday morning's training session.
Kevin van Veen returned to full training on Tuesday after coming off against the Cobblers with an ankle injury.
Jamie Ward has recovered from illness and has trained, looking sharp ahead of the match. James Perch returns after returning to training following a hip flexor injury.
However, Hurst confirmed Kgosi Ntlhe is a doubt with a groin issue.
Jacob Bedeau (calf) has returned to training following a calf injury, while Jordan Hallam (ankle) is close to a return and will feature for the Under-23s at Bottesford next Wednesday all being well.
Meanwhile, Clayton Lewis is back with the club after his involvement for New Zealand Under-23s in their Olympic qualifying campaign.
George Miller (quad strain), John McAtee (shoulder) and Andy Dales (calf) remain absent, while Jordan Clarke is out following an appendix operation and is still at least a month away from any return.
Matthew Lund sits out the final game of a three-match suspension.
PAST MEETINGS
Our last game against the Exiles was in March 2014 when Paddy Madden and David Syers struck in a 2-2 draw. United were left disappointed on the day though as they were pegged back late on.
| SEASON - DATE | COMPETITION | RESULT | IRON SCORERS |
| 2013-14 - Sat Mar 1 | LG 2 | Newport 2-2 Iron | Madden, Syers |
| 2013-14 - Sat Aug 31 | LG 2 | Iron 1-1 Newport | Winnall |
| 1987-88 - Sat Jan 16 | DIV 4 | Newport 1-1 Iron | Taylor |
| 1987-88 - Sat Sep 19 | DIV 4 | Iron 3-1 Newport | Flounders 2, Atkins |
| 1983-84 - Fri Feb 10 | DIV 3 | Iron 3-3 Newport | Brolly 2, Cammack |
| 1983-84 - Sat Sep 24 | DIV 3 | Newport 1-1 Iron | Green |
| 1979-80 - Sat Dec 15 | DIV 4 | Newport 2-1 Iron | Stewart |
| 1979-80 - Sat Oct 20 | DIV 4 | Iron 1-3 Newport | Keeley |
| 1978-79 - Wed Apr 18 | DIV 4 | Newport 2-0 Iron | |
| 1978-79 - Sat Oct 7 | DIV 4 | Iron 2-3 Newport | Deere, Oates |
| 1977-78 - Tue Apr 4 | DIV 4 | Iron 2-0 Newport | Kilmore 2 |
| 1977-78 - Tue Oct 4 | DIV 4 | Newport 3-1 Iron | Farrell |
| 1976-77 - Tue Apr 19 | DIV 4 | Iron 1-0 Newport | Keeley |
| 1976-77 - Fri Jan 28 | DIV 4 | Newport 0-0 Iron | |
| 1975-76 - Sat Jan 10 | DIV 4 | Iron 1-2 Newport | Money |
| 1975-76 - Sat Aug 30 | DIV 4 | Newport 0-0 Iron | |
| 1974-75 - Sat Jan 11 | DIV 4 | Iron 4-1 Newport | Roberts 3, Collier |
| 1974-75 - Sat Dec 7 | DIV 4 | Newport 2-0 Iron | |
| 1973-74 - Sun Feb 17 | DIV 4 | Newport 2-1 Iron | Warnock |
| 1973-74 - Sat Oct 13 | DIV 4 | Iron 0-0 Newport | |
| 1971-72 - Mon May 1 | DIV 4 | Newport 1-0 Iron | |
| 1971-72 - Sat Jan 29 | DIV 4 | Iron 1-0 Newport | Davidson |
| 1970-71 - Sat Apr 17 | DIV 4 | Iron 0-1 Newport | |
| 1970-71 - Sat Oct 10 | DIV 4 | Newport 2-3 Iron | Cassidy 2, Davidson |
| 1969-70 - Sat Mar 28 | DIV 4 | Iron 4-0 Newport | Kerr, Cassidy 2, Davidson |
| 1969-70 - Mon Mar 9 | DIV 4 | Newport 3-0 Iron | |
| 1968-69 - Mon Feb 24 | DIV 4 | Newport 1-1 Iron | Lindsey |
| 1968-69 - Fri Oct 18 | DIV 4 | Iron 1-0 Newport | Heath |
| SCUNTHORPE WINS | DRAWS | NEWPORT WINS | |
| LEAGUE | 8 | 9 | 11 |
| TOTAL | 8 | 9 | 11 |
ELSEWHERE IN LEAGUE TWO
SATURDAY
Bradford City v Crawley Town (3pm)
Cambridge United v Exeter City (3pm)
Colchester United v Morecambe (3pm)
Crewe Alexandra v Swindon Town (3pm)
Forest Green Rovers v Mansfield Town (3pm)
Grimsby Town v Leyton Orient (3pm)
Northampton Town v Salford City (3pm)
Oldham Athletic v Macclesfield Town (3pm)
Plymouth Argyle v Carlisle United (3pm)
Port Vale v Stevenage (3pm)
Walsall v Cheltenham Town (3pm)
